I know that I had a specific idea in mind when I first began the sign-in process tonight, but after fighting with Blogger and the requirement to change from the old Blogger sign-in and system to the new Google system, I have completely forgotten what it was. Change, especially a difficult change, can make you completely forget what you were going to do in the first place.
Why are we like that? Why is change so hard? Why do we fight it so much? I suppose that these are good subjects to reflect on in this season of Lent. Reflection, repentance, change. Lent is a time to reflect. It is a time to repent. Reflection and repentance should lead to change. But we usually do not want to change.
Change is one of those things - like death and taxes - that happens, whether we want it to or not. We are never ready for it, we usually fight it, and are never sure it was a good thing. Change is especially difficult when it is someone else's idea, rather than our own. We might diet if we want to improve our chances of fitting into last springs new suit, but not if the doctor tells us to. We might change how we perform a particular function if we decide that it might be easier another way, but not if someone else suggest it first. We might live differently if we thought we had something to gain, but not because God told us to. The 10 commandments might as well be the 10 impossible things that we'll never get around to, because they are just too hard (or the 10 suggestions, for similar reasons).
Reflection is hard because it causes us to examine ourselves. Why is learning a new system so hard? Why is creating a new user name and password so hard? If it was something new that I wanted to do, I would think nothing of creating a new log in and password, and reading the instructions to make it work more smoothly; but let Google force me into it and I want to fight it - one of the reasons I have ignored their suggestion for the past 4 months about switching over while it was optional - I had to wait until they forced it.
We are like this when it comes to examining our own lives. Why don't I treat people with more respect? Why do I not follow a healthier lifestyle and diet? Why can't I see that these things would be better for me? Because I am human; because I am a sinful creature who wants things my way.
During Lent, the challenge to each of us is to reflect, repent as needed, change as necessary. Most of all, ask forgiveness, and pray that we might become better creatures. We know that God will forgive us. Can we see that we need forgiveness and ask for it? Can we forgive ourselves? More reflection. And so the season of Lent.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Studying the Sermon on the Mount
We have had an unusual opportunity for the past few weeks to study the Sermon on the Mount with Dr. James Bailey, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Wartburg Seminary. He has been teaching a five-session class in three separate locations in the conference. In order to fit into our schedule, we have attended this class in two of the three locations over the past few weeks, so this has turned into not only an opportunity to study the Bible, but also an opportunity to get to know members of two local ELCA congregations better.
As part of last week’s lesson, we took a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer, which is at the center of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. At the conclusion of this session, we were asked to write our answers to one or both of these two questions.
From your experience, what does it mean to ask for “our daily bread”?
It means that we admit our dependence on God’s providence, that we take time to ask him for:
• the basic necessities of daily life
• the means and abilities to earn those essentials through our own work
• freedom from worry about the essentials for ourselves, so that we can really act and work in God’s kingdom here and now
• justice, that “all of us” might have the necessities and this same freedom from worry
• all of us to experience God’s gracious and abundant love!
From your experience, why is forgiveness so essential to our living?
I have shared my answer to the first question from my class notes and invite others to reply with their answers as well…
As part of last week’s lesson, we took a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer, which is at the center of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. At the conclusion of this session, we were asked to write our answers to one or both of these two questions.
From your experience, what does it mean to ask for “our daily bread”?
It means that we admit our dependence on God’s providence, that we take time to ask him for:
• the basic necessities of daily life
• the means and abilities to earn those essentials through our own work
• freedom from worry about the essentials for ourselves, so that we can really act and work in God’s kingdom here and now
• justice, that “all of us” might have the necessities and this same freedom from worry
• all of us to experience God’s gracious and abundant love!
From your experience, why is forgiveness so essential to our living?
I have shared my answer to the first question from my class notes and invite others to reply with their answers as well…
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Work to be done
It is my turn to post to the blog, so I have been told. The difficulty with this is that we have been so busy the past few weeks that it is hard for either one of us to find time. Since time has been the issue, let me catch you up with what is going on with internship.
After our trip to Texas (see On the Road Again), we came back to a funeral and a site visit from our seminary. Site visits are normal, expected, and so on, but they can also be intimidating, time consuming, and exhausting. Ours went well, but over the course of a week, it took several hours and phone calls to pick a date, set an agenda, notify everyone of the agenda, and then modify the agenda when someone was not going to be available. This happened a couple of weeks before. We returned from Texas Monday night, late, and then dealt with the funeral on Tuesday, then picked up our contextual education professor on Wednesday morning. Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much one meeting after another, with some driving in-between. By Friday, we were both exhausted, and still had sermons to write for Sunday. We also had 41 volunteers sleeping at the church and working for LDR. Friday afternoon sermon writing was interrupted to open the travel agency office as several people were trying to arrange (or re-arrange) their travel home.
By Monday, our normal day off, we might have rested, except that we had not really had a day at home for almost three weeks, and the apartment really needed cleaning and the cupboards were bare. That means that our day off was really as much or more work than a normal day! Much of the week was spent catching up on some things from the previous week, plus some planning based on suggestions made by our professor during the site visit.
For some reason, by the time we got to Friday again, we were heavily involved in doing some repairs around the church. With the number of volunteers we have staying with us, and the remodeling project that is almost finished, there always seems to be something that needs to be fixed or modified or replaced. Since we had no volunteers in this weekend, it seemed like a good time to get some of these items finished. Saturday (and some of Sunday afternoon) was spent going up and down a step ladder, installing new smoke alarms in the areas that the volunteers sleep, repairing a light fixture, finishing the battery replacement project for our emergency lighting and exit signs, and fixing a couple of door stops. All of this was followed by a couple of hours of cleaning (cleaning up after ourselves, and after volunteers, and after the sexton as well)
I suppose it is appropriate to follow up a post titled The House of God with one about the work done in and on the house of God. In small congregations, with a mostly older population, there are always things to fix and work to be done. One project begets another. There is always something to do. Lest we become bogged down in these projects, though, we must also remember that we (even lowly interns) are called to care for each other. This weekend is past; tonight a new group of volunteers arrive; tomorrow we travel upstate to learn how to handle facility closings in a pandemic. Chores need to be done, but life cannot be spent on them. The world calls; the people call; there is work to be done out there as well.
After our trip to Texas (see On the Road Again), we came back to a funeral and a site visit from our seminary. Site visits are normal, expected, and so on, but they can also be intimidating, time consuming, and exhausting. Ours went well, but over the course of a week, it took several hours and phone calls to pick a date, set an agenda, notify everyone of the agenda, and then modify the agenda when someone was not going to be available. This happened a couple of weeks before. We returned from Texas Monday night, late, and then dealt with the funeral on Tuesday, then picked up our contextual education professor on Wednesday morning. Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much one meeting after another, with some driving in-between. By Friday, we were both exhausted, and still had sermons to write for Sunday. We also had 41 volunteers sleeping at the church and working for LDR. Friday afternoon sermon writing was interrupted to open the travel agency office as several people were trying to arrange (or re-arrange) their travel home.
By Monday, our normal day off, we might have rested, except that we had not really had a day at home for almost three weeks, and the apartment really needed cleaning and the cupboards were bare. That means that our day off was really as much or more work than a normal day! Much of the week was spent catching up on some things from the previous week, plus some planning based on suggestions made by our professor during the site visit.
For some reason, by the time we got to Friday again, we were heavily involved in doing some repairs around the church. With the number of volunteers we have staying with us, and the remodeling project that is almost finished, there always seems to be something that needs to be fixed or modified or replaced. Since we had no volunteers in this weekend, it seemed like a good time to get some of these items finished. Saturday (and some of Sunday afternoon) was spent going up and down a step ladder, installing new smoke alarms in the areas that the volunteers sleep, repairing a light fixture, finishing the battery replacement project for our emergency lighting and exit signs, and fixing a couple of door stops. All of this was followed by a couple of hours of cleaning (cleaning up after ourselves, and after volunteers, and after the sexton as well)
I suppose it is appropriate to follow up a post titled The House of God with one about the work done in and on the house of God. In small congregations, with a mostly older population, there are always things to fix and work to be done. One project begets another. There is always something to do. Lest we become bogged down in these projects, though, we must also remember that we (even lowly interns) are called to care for each other. This weekend is past; tonight a new group of volunteers arrive; tomorrow we travel upstate to learn how to handle facility closings in a pandemic. Chores need to be done, but life cannot be spent on them. The world calls; the people call; there is work to be done out there as well.
Friday, January 19, 2007
The House of God
We often talk about the church building as the house of God. But how many times does the church building seem more like a sterile, empty building than a house? We usually think of a house as a place filled with a family, their belongings and their activities, but the church often stands empty and quiet for hours or even days at a time, we don’t bring in many personal belongings, we eat only the occasional meal there, and we treat at least parts of it as though they are too special or sacred to be used for routine activities.
I was struck the other afternoon by the image of the church as the house of God AND God’s people. With over forty volunteers living here this week, nearly every room in the building is filled with inflatable mattresses. Most are covered with a pillow and blankets. In every corner, there seems to be a suitcase, many open with personal belongings spilling out into an area around the bed. These beds are in all the classrooms, the church parlor, the choir room, and even in the sanctuary. Every room is filled with the signs of people who live, at least for a short time, together in this place.
By mid-afternoon, the church was mostly deserted with a meeting going on quietly in one room, and most of the volunteers out working on jobsites, but there was a flurry of activity in the kitchen – and the enticing aroma of dinner began to fill the entire building.
In that moment, the church really seemed like a home; a place where a family lives, eating together and sleeping under one roof. A home where the family takes turns using the available shower facilities. A home where you have to really look for a quiet corner if you want to sit quietly and read, or pray, or just think. A home filled with activity as later in the evening, music filled the choir room, the sounds of the television came from one room, and the sound of conversations mixed as dishes were washed and the kitchen was cleaned up, while others gathered around a table to play a board game. Outside, rain fell and a cold wind blew.
Inside, the building was filled with people, happy for the shelter from the cold, wet weather. People not afraid to use every room in the building. A family, truly at home, in the house of God. What a delightful concept.
I was struck the other afternoon by the image of the church as the house of God AND God’s people. With over forty volunteers living here this week, nearly every room in the building is filled with inflatable mattresses. Most are covered with a pillow and blankets. In every corner, there seems to be a suitcase, many open with personal belongings spilling out into an area around the bed. These beds are in all the classrooms, the church parlor, the choir room, and even in the sanctuary. Every room is filled with the signs of people who live, at least for a short time, together in this place.
By mid-afternoon, the church was mostly deserted with a meeting going on quietly in one room, and most of the volunteers out working on jobsites, but there was a flurry of activity in the kitchen – and the enticing aroma of dinner began to fill the entire building.
In that moment, the church really seemed like a home; a place where a family lives, eating together and sleeping under one roof. A home where the family takes turns using the available shower facilities. A home where you have to really look for a quiet corner if you want to sit quietly and read, or pray, or just think. A home filled with activity as later in the evening, music filled the choir room, the sounds of the television came from one room, and the sound of conversations mixed as dishes were washed and the kitchen was cleaned up, while others gathered around a table to play a board game. Outside, rain fell and a cold wind blew.
Inside, the building was filled with people, happy for the shelter from the cold, wet weather. People not afraid to use every room in the building. A family, truly at home, in the house of God. What a delightful concept.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
On the Road Again!
You might think that interns would stay close to home, preaching and teaching mostly in their internship congregation. But we seem to spend large portions of our time on the road. It felt like we had just gotten home from the Carolinas, but we were on the road again this weekend. We had an invitation from a classmate to visit her congregation and give a presentation on what LDR is doing on the Gulf coast. So, last Friday, we packed up the Cruiser and set out for Texas!
We made a stop in Slidell, Louisiana to visit the LDR site at Peace Lutheran. There is an amazing transformation taking place there – repairs to the flood damage in the church building, renovations and additions to house and feed about 90 volunteers at a time who come to work in the area. Pastor Barb and her congregation are doing great things – with the help of volunteers from all over the country.
We then drove through New Orleans for the first time since Katrina. Even from the interstate, the devastation was appalling. Block after block of stores, homes, and apartment buildings stand empty – with gaping holes in the roof or all the windows broken out. The parking lots are empty, the buildings dark and abandoned. Words fail me, but pictures wouldn’t do it justice, either.
As we drove through, a couple was being interviewed on the radio to talk about their experiences – their escape from New Orleans before Katrina, the months spent living with family in Baton Rouge, their return to New Orleans, the additional months spend trying to decide if their home could be repaired. Fortunately, their story has a happy ending. They had insurance and were able to locate a building contractor who could do the work for the amount the insurance company was willing to pay. Now they have just moved back into their home. Unfortunately, those stories are far too rare.
Thanks to Vicar Christi, Pastor Steve, and the wonderful people of St. Mark’s in Cuero, Texas, we had a great experience on the rest of our trip. We preached at both the Saturday evening and Sunday morning worship services, spent the Sunday school hour talking with the youth and adults about our internship experience at LDR, and following a potluck lunch, gave our congregational preparedness presentation.
Monday morning found us back on the road, heading east for Alabama. It was a long drive in the rain, but we stayed in front of the sleet and freezing rain that some areas were experiencing, so we arrived home safely and right on schedule – and ready for a good night’s sleep! After a morning off to catch up on laundry and chores, we were back to work, with a funeral to attend this afternoon and an LDR presentation tonight at a nearby congregation.
We made a stop in Slidell, Louisiana to visit the LDR site at Peace Lutheran. There is an amazing transformation taking place there – repairs to the flood damage in the church building, renovations and additions to house and feed about 90 volunteers at a time who come to work in the area. Pastor Barb and her congregation are doing great things – with the help of volunteers from all over the country.
We then drove through New Orleans for the first time since Katrina. Even from the interstate, the devastation was appalling. Block after block of stores, homes, and apartment buildings stand empty – with gaping holes in the roof or all the windows broken out. The parking lots are empty, the buildings dark and abandoned. Words fail me, but pictures wouldn’t do it justice, either.
As we drove through, a couple was being interviewed on the radio to talk about their experiences – their escape from New Orleans before Katrina, the months spent living with family in Baton Rouge, their return to New Orleans, the additional months spend trying to decide if their home could be repaired. Fortunately, their story has a happy ending. They had insurance and were able to locate a building contractor who could do the work for the amount the insurance company was willing to pay. Now they have just moved back into their home. Unfortunately, those stories are far too rare.
Thanks to Vicar Christi, Pastor Steve, and the wonderful people of St. Mark’s in Cuero, Texas, we had a great experience on the rest of our trip. We preached at both the Saturday evening and Sunday morning worship services, spent the Sunday school hour talking with the youth and adults about our internship experience at LDR, and following a potluck lunch, gave our congregational preparedness presentation.
Monday morning found us back on the road, heading east for Alabama. It was a long drive in the rain, but we stayed in front of the sleet and freezing rain that some areas were experiencing, so we arrived home safely and right on schedule – and ready for a good night’s sleep! After a morning off to catch up on laundry and chores, we were back to work, with a funeral to attend this afternoon and an LDR presentation tonight at a nearby congregation.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Coming Home
Being in ministry (on internship or as a pastor) means that you don’t have Christmas off. On top of the decorating and shopping and baking and sending cards and wrapping gifts, we had many preparations at church. I taught adult Sunday school on the morning of December 24th (we were discussing the birth of Jesus as recorded in the second chapter of Luke); then assisted with worship for the fourth Sunday of Advent. After worship, the sanctuary underwent a transformation from the blue of Advent to the white of Christmas. A busy afternoon followed.
By evening, we were back at church again – to celebrate Christmas with a candlelight communion service. Home then to fix a late supper, finish the laundry, and pack. We left first thing in the morning to travel home to visit family for a few days. On our drive we listened to a variety of Christmas music on the radio. One holiday favorite kept repeating: “I’ll be home for Christmas.” We could identify with those lyrics as we sped along the highway on our way home to spend a week visiting with family and friends.
Before the end of the week arrived, though, I realized that I was ready to be home – back to my own pillow and bed and other familiar surroundings. But just as I said that to Ray, I realized that I wasn’t so sure where home is anymore! We call North Carolina home, but haven’t really lived there in over two years. We have library cards in two major cities, cars registered in two states, phone numbers in three area codes, and belongings in storage in one place and in an apartment over 500 miles away. You could say we have roots in one place, but are roosting in another.
Just as I began to be melancholy about not feeling like I can really call anywhere “home” anymore, I realized that this is a very real part of our seminary education. We haven’t just left behind too much stuff and our ties to one place, but have gained so much more. We have had the opportunity to learn so much, to meet so many people, and worship in so many different congregations and settings. We now have many new friends in several states just because of this amazing journey. We are becoming “at home” in many different places. Something tells me that this is a lesson God needed for us to learn…
I trust that God has a plan which he will reveal to us at just the right moment. Most of all, I know that we always have a home with him. In the meantime, I can’t begin to imagine where the path of this journey leads, but I do know that it felt good to be back in our apartment last night, and to be welcomed “home” by someone at church today!
By evening, we were back at church again – to celebrate Christmas with a candlelight communion service. Home then to fix a late supper, finish the laundry, and pack. We left first thing in the morning to travel home to visit family for a few days. On our drive we listened to a variety of Christmas music on the radio. One holiday favorite kept repeating: “I’ll be home for Christmas.” We could identify with those lyrics as we sped along the highway on our way home to spend a week visiting with family and friends.
Before the end of the week arrived, though, I realized that I was ready to be home – back to my own pillow and bed and other familiar surroundings. But just as I said that to Ray, I realized that I wasn’t so sure where home is anymore! We call North Carolina home, but haven’t really lived there in over two years. We have library cards in two major cities, cars registered in two states, phone numbers in three area codes, and belongings in storage in one place and in an apartment over 500 miles away. You could say we have roots in one place, but are roosting in another.
Just as I began to be melancholy about not feeling like I can really call anywhere “home” anymore, I realized that this is a very real part of our seminary education. We haven’t just left behind too much stuff and our ties to one place, but have gained so much more. We have had the opportunity to learn so much, to meet so many people, and worship in so many different congregations and settings. We now have many new friends in several states just because of this amazing journey. We are becoming “at home” in many different places. Something tells me that this is a lesson God needed for us to learn…
I trust that God has a plan which he will reveal to us at just the right moment. Most of all, I know that we always have a home with him. In the meantime, I can’t begin to imagine where the path of this journey leads, but I do know that it felt good to be back in our apartment last night, and to be welcomed “home” by someone at church today!
Friday, December 29, 2006
A Time to Relax
Wow! And I thought that end of semester finals were tough! As interns, we have just finished our first Advent/Christmas season where we not only attend more church services than usual - we are leading and/or preaching at those services! I did not know that a person could be so tired.
This is the comment that I left for Pastor David on his post at Postings from Prairie Hill. He has just completed his first season as a solo pastor; I guess his comments give me something to look forward to - being very tired!
Yet, it has been a time of great uplifting, as well. We each did things that we had not done before, such as three services each Wednesday of Advent, chanting Evening Prayer (LBW) for the first time, and multiple services on Christmas Eve. A lot of work - yes. A lot of planning - yes. A little nerve-wracking - at times. But oh so uplifting. Even the noontime service with only a few people - worth every minute.
In some ways, I look forward to the Lenten season where we have Wednesday services for 6 weeks instead of 3, but I also dread it. Twice as long - I have to believe that I will be twice as tired by the Monday after Easter; but if it is even half as uplifting as Advent has been, I believe I can make it through.
The season of Advent - the waiting, the anticipation, will be different from Lent, which is more reflective, but it is still a special time in the church, one which leads the preacher into a more contemplative time as he/she prepares for each service, each sermon. More time spent preparing, a feeling of being more prepared; a better connection with the word proclaimed and with the receiver of the word.
In the meantime, we are enjoying a few days off, time to have a late Christmas celebration with family, to have a little after-Christmas snow at Mom's (which we would not have in Mobile), and a chance to recharge before beginning the New Year. It is also a chance to connect with many whom we have not seen since we left on internship. Sunday will be at our home congregation in Charlotte, where we have not been since last Good Friday.
Time with family, time with friends, time to rest. Gifts from God, gifts to be treasured, gifts to be shared. May each of you have time to relax, and to recharge, and we wish each of you a most blessed New Year!
This is the comment that I left for Pastor David on his post at Postings from Prairie Hill. He has just completed his first season as a solo pastor; I guess his comments give me something to look forward to - being very tired!
Yet, it has been a time of great uplifting, as well. We each did things that we had not done before, such as three services each Wednesday of Advent, chanting Evening Prayer (LBW) for the first time, and multiple services on Christmas Eve. A lot of work - yes. A lot of planning - yes. A little nerve-wracking - at times. But oh so uplifting. Even the noontime service with only a few people - worth every minute.
In some ways, I look forward to the Lenten season where we have Wednesday services for 6 weeks instead of 3, but I also dread it. Twice as long - I have to believe that I will be twice as tired by the Monday after Easter; but if it is even half as uplifting as Advent has been, I believe I can make it through.
The season of Advent - the waiting, the anticipation, will be different from Lent, which is more reflective, but it is still a special time in the church, one which leads the preacher into a more contemplative time as he/she prepares for each service, each sermon. More time spent preparing, a feeling of being more prepared; a better connection with the word proclaimed and with the receiver of the word.
In the meantime, we are enjoying a few days off, time to have a late Christmas celebration with family, to have a little after-Christmas snow at Mom's (which we would not have in Mobile), and a chance to recharge before beginning the New Year. It is also a chance to connect with many whom we have not seen since we left on internship. Sunday will be at our home congregation in Charlotte, where we have not been since last Good Friday.
Time with family, time with friends, time to rest. Gifts from God, gifts to be treasured, gifts to be shared. May each of you have time to relax, and to recharge, and we wish each of you a most blessed New Year!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Merry Christmas
To those who read this blog, but may not receive our email updates, we would like to wish each of you a Merry Christmas!This picture is of Vicar Ray, who was the preacher at Bethel Lutheran in Biloxi last week. Bethel was nicely decorated and included their children's pageant during the worship service.
As we reach the end of the Advent season - our watching and waiting almost over - we anticipate the birth of the Christ child - the babe in the manger. We wait - because we know He is coming. We watch - for miracles do happen. We are breathless with anticipation - because we already know what His birth means, and where it will lead. We celebrate, because our Savior has come.
We wish you a very Merry and Holy Christmas season, filled with the warmth of time spent with family, and with the knowledge that Jesus has come, God become flesh, for you - and for us.
Monday, December 18, 2006
How real is your Christmas?
An article caught my eye on one of the on-line news links a week or so ago. A story about the church in Alaska that was targeted by PETA because they advertised a “live nativity scene” prompted the following thoughts:
The question this raises – can you be convicted of being a Christian if your baby Jesus is plastic? Is your faith any more real than your animals? Is political correctness more important than truth? Just how real is your faith?
While I in no way want to suggest that using (or misusing) live animals just to make your nativity scene more realistic (there are many dangers – to both people and animals that are not given thorough consideration), it is an interesting parallel to our faith. How real is your faith? Is it a plastic doll, in a manger of straw? Or is it the son of God, the one who became flesh and lived among us? Is the whole manger scene too “real” for us? Or do we want it to be a “nice story” that we tell because it sounds good?
It reminds me of the old question (usually raised at Lent, not Advent), if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In this case, do our Advent practices prepare us for the coming of the Christ Child? Or for a holiday season of shopping and partying?
On Dec. 1, a new movie opened that re-tells the story, The Nativity Story. Having seen this movie, it is both a “feel-good” Christmas movie, and a realistic tale of what Mary and Joseph might have had to endure. It just might be a great way to celebrate the Advent season and begin the Christmas season…
The question this raises – can you be convicted of being a Christian if your baby Jesus is plastic? Is your faith any more real than your animals? Is political correctness more important than truth? Just how real is your faith?
While I in no way want to suggest that using (or misusing) live animals just to make your nativity scene more realistic (there are many dangers – to both people and animals that are not given thorough consideration), it is an interesting parallel to our faith. How real is your faith? Is it a plastic doll, in a manger of straw? Or is it the son of God, the one who became flesh and lived among us? Is the whole manger scene too “real” for us? Or do we want it to be a “nice story” that we tell because it sounds good?
It reminds me of the old question (usually raised at Lent, not Advent), if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In this case, do our Advent practices prepare us for the coming of the Christ Child? Or for a holiday season of shopping and partying?
On Dec. 1, a new movie opened that re-tells the story, The Nativity Story. Having seen this movie, it is both a “feel-good” Christmas movie, and a realistic tale of what Mary and Joseph might have had to endure. It just might be a great way to celebrate the Advent season and begin the Christmas season…
Friday, December 15, 2006
On becoming an angel
No, I don’t mean dressing up as a member of the heavenly host as part of a Sunday School Christmas pageant. Or even magically being transformed into a heavenly being after death. I’m thinking about being an angel, right here on earth.
At its most basic, ‘angel’ simply means ‘messenger.’ From malak in Hebrew to angelos in Greek, the Scriptures - both the Old and New Testaments - contain many stories about angels serving as messengers of God. Think of the beginning of the Gospel of Luke: the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah to foretell the birth of John the Baptist; then later tells Mary that she will bear a son, the son of the Most High, to be named Jesus.
This week, I realized that I had become an angel – a messenger for God – for a woman in Bayou La Batre. The story begins a few weeks ago, when our congregation began collecting toys to give to children in the Bayou. After the pile of donated toy trucks, games, and baby dolls had begun to collect in the narthex, we realized that LDR was not planning to distribute Christmas gifts, so we didn’t have an automatic outlet for the items we had collected.
After a bit of research, I discovered that the Bayou La Batre police department was partnering with the local Lions club to distribute toys in this area that was hit so hard by Hurricane Katrina – and is recovering so slowly. I called their contact number and talked with a local woman who is helping to organize this project.
What does this have to do with being an angel, you ask? Well, after a couple of phone calls to her; to arrange delivery of toys and stuffed animals donated by members of our church, a local senior citizen’s group, and more toys purchased with funds that have been donated by individuals and congregations from all over the US, she told me this about the morning I first called her:
“You know, just that morning, I was sitting in my chair, praying to God, crying, and asking what we would do if we didn’t have enough toys for all the children that needed them. Then the phone rang, and it was you, and you told me that you had toys already gathered and were able to buy even more, once you knew what we needed…”
I had the joy of receiving that type of miracle several times last winter at the Distribution Center in Ocean Springs; but this time I realized that I had become an angel, a messenger of God, to this lovely woman who is working so hard to make Christmas merry for the children of Bayou La Batre. What an incredible experience!
She and I are both convinced now that somehow, there will be enough toys for the 600+ children that may not receive any gifts besides the ones this project can give to them...
At its most basic, ‘angel’ simply means ‘messenger.’ From malak in Hebrew to angelos in Greek, the Scriptures - both the Old and New Testaments - contain many stories about angels serving as messengers of God. Think of the beginning of the Gospel of Luke: the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah to foretell the birth of John the Baptist; then later tells Mary that she will bear a son, the son of the Most High, to be named Jesus.
This week, I realized that I had become an angel – a messenger for God – for a woman in Bayou La Batre. The story begins a few weeks ago, when our congregation began collecting toys to give to children in the Bayou. After the pile of donated toy trucks, games, and baby dolls had begun to collect in the narthex, we realized that LDR was not planning to distribute Christmas gifts, so we didn’t have an automatic outlet for the items we had collected.
After a bit of research, I discovered that the Bayou La Batre police department was partnering with the local Lions club to distribute toys in this area that was hit so hard by Hurricane Katrina – and is recovering so slowly. I called their contact number and talked with a local woman who is helping to organize this project.
What does this have to do with being an angel, you ask? Well, after a couple of phone calls to her; to arrange delivery of toys and stuffed animals donated by members of our church, a local senior citizen’s group, and more toys purchased with funds that have been donated by individuals and congregations from all over the US, she told me this about the morning I first called her:
“You know, just that morning, I was sitting in my chair, praying to God, crying, and asking what we would do if we didn’t have enough toys for all the children that needed them. Then the phone rang, and it was you, and you told me that you had toys already gathered and were able to buy even more, once you knew what we needed…”
I had the joy of receiving that type of miracle several times last winter at the Distribution Center in Ocean Springs; but this time I realized that I had become an angel, a messenger of God, to this lovely woman who is working so hard to make Christmas merry for the children of Bayou La Batre. What an incredible experience!
She and I are both convinced now that somehow, there will be enough toys for the 600+ children that may not receive any gifts besides the ones this project can give to them...
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Progress!
To borrow a phrase from Garrison Keillor, “It’s been a busy week here in Mobile.” A significant part of internship is to complete a project in the internship setting – and of course write about it in a paper which is submitted to faculty on campus. Our project has grown out of our work with LDR. Since a major component of LDR’s plan for our work this year was congregational disaster preparedness, we selected this area for our project.
We have spent about half of each week in October and November reading and researching on this topic, compiling resources from LDR, other organizations like the American Red Cross and VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), and government agencies including FEMA, Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Using the information from all this research, we have compiled a CD of resources and prepared a presentation which can be given to congregations to help them plan and prepare for disasters BEFORE they occur.
Two big deadlines were on our calendar this week. First, we reported on our progress and gave our presentation for a group of LDR staff members here in Alabama. Second, after some quick revisions, we gave the presentation to members of our internship congregation. We really worked hard to get the information together and prepare the Powerpoint presentation and a script, so that we won’t leave out any important information. It was quite a relief to come home Thursday evening and relax because both of those initial presentations were done!!
We still need to make some additional revisions and complete a manual that congregational teams can use as a guide for preparations, but the bulk of the research is behind us. We are already in the process of contacting Lutheran congregations all over the state of Alabama and will begin traveling with the presentation soon.
But for now, our attention has shifted from LDR to the congregation. We are busy today preparing for the Adult Sunday school class and worship tomorrow, and the first midweek Advent worship this week. As I go back to work on my sermon for Wednesday, I'll leave you with these words - the first verse from "The Advent of Our God" (hymn #22 from the Lutheran Book of Worship, written by Charles Coffin.)
"The advent of our God shall be our theme for prayer;
Come, let us meet him on the road and place for him prepare."
We have spent about half of each week in October and November reading and researching on this topic, compiling resources from LDR, other organizations like the American Red Cross and VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), and government agencies including FEMA, Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Using the information from all this research, we have compiled a CD of resources and prepared a presentation which can be given to congregations to help them plan and prepare for disasters BEFORE they occur.
Two big deadlines were on our calendar this week. First, we reported on our progress and gave our presentation for a group of LDR staff members here in Alabama. Second, after some quick revisions, we gave the presentation to members of our internship congregation. We really worked hard to get the information together and prepare the Powerpoint presentation and a script, so that we won’t leave out any important information. It was quite a relief to come home Thursday evening and relax because both of those initial presentations were done!!
We still need to make some additional revisions and complete a manual that congregational teams can use as a guide for preparations, but the bulk of the research is behind us. We are already in the process of contacting Lutheran congregations all over the state of Alabama and will begin traveling with the presentation soon.
But for now, our attention has shifted from LDR to the congregation. We are busy today preparing for the Adult Sunday school class and worship tomorrow, and the first midweek Advent worship this week. As I go back to work on my sermon for Wednesday, I'll leave you with these words - the first verse from "The Advent of Our God" (hymn #22 from the Lutheran Book of Worship, written by Charles Coffin.)
"The advent of our God shall be our theme for prayer;
Come, let us meet him on the road and place for him prepare."
Friday, November 24, 2006
Giving Thanks
Some things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving:
For not needing too many of the things that are safely stored in a warehouse in South Carolina, and for being able find - fairly quickly - the couple of things that we did need to retrieve while we were back on campus recently!
For the opportunity to visit with classmates and friends on campus at this point in our internship year. Sometimes we need to be reassured that we are not the only ones challenged by this process! The fellowship and community we find with our classmates and in the church are certainly signs of God’s grace.
For patient tenants, since the much-needed new dishwasher won’t fit without some modifications to the kitchen counters. (The previous owners didn’t plan ahead sufficiently when they remodeled the kitchen.) I am reminded of how often my plans don’t take into account the bigger picture or the long-term view.
For a precious two year old who reaches up her arms to me and says “I want to hold you.” She reminds me of how I reach out to God to be held and comforted, trusting that he will indeed reach down and pick me up and hold me close in love.
For children who are patient and generous even though some of our roles have been reversed. (Now we visit them when we are in town!) I suspect that “Honor your father and mother” has taken on a significantly new meaning.
For thirty years of marriage to a loving, supportive spouse who shares not only so much of my past but also looks forward with me to an exciting future as we continue to discern God’s plans and prepare for ordained ministry.
For friends and family who read this blog and stay in touch via phone or email, even though we are far away on internship. Your love, encouragement, and support make a huge difference.
This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but simply things that came to mind as I contemplated the meaning of Thanksgiving this week. Hope we can each take time to contemplate the things - both large and small- that we are grateful for and give our heartfelt thanks to God.
For not needing too many of the things that are safely stored in a warehouse in South Carolina, and for being able find - fairly quickly - the couple of things that we did need to retrieve while we were back on campus recently!
For the opportunity to visit with classmates and friends on campus at this point in our internship year. Sometimes we need to be reassured that we are not the only ones challenged by this process! The fellowship and community we find with our classmates and in the church are certainly signs of God’s grace.
For patient tenants, since the much-needed new dishwasher won’t fit without some modifications to the kitchen counters. (The previous owners didn’t plan ahead sufficiently when they remodeled the kitchen.) I am reminded of how often my plans don’t take into account the bigger picture or the long-term view.
For a precious two year old who reaches up her arms to me and says “I want to hold you.” She reminds me of how I reach out to God to be held and comforted, trusting that he will indeed reach down and pick me up and hold me close in love.
For children who are patient and generous even though some of our roles have been reversed. (Now we visit them when we are in town!) I suspect that “Honor your father and mother” has taken on a significantly new meaning.
For thirty years of marriage to a loving, supportive spouse who shares not only so much of my past but also looks forward with me to an exciting future as we continue to discern God’s plans and prepare for ordained ministry.
For friends and family who read this blog and stay in touch via phone or email, even though we are far away on internship. Your love, encouragement, and support make a huge difference.
This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but simply things that came to mind as I contemplated the meaning of Thanksgiving this week. Hope we can each take time to contemplate the things - both large and small- that we are grateful for and give our heartfelt thanks to God.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Shema
I am not usually one to post full sermons, but this one received some strong (favorable) reaction, so I though I would post it for your reaction. As a student, it is always interesting to hear the reactions of others – to see if the same points that strike me affect others. The texts for this day are the LBW lectionary for the 24th Sunday in Pentecost.
Mark 12:28-31 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. {29 Or the Lord our God is one Lord} 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' {30 Deut. 6:4,5} 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' {31 Lev. 19:18} There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus is asked one of those questions – one of those questions that, under some circumstances, might be considered a trap. In this case, a scribe is actually agreeing with Jesus. He knows that Jesus has answered correctly – according to scripture, if not according to current politics. Since Jesus seems to be on a roll, the scribe asks him a question of his own – what is the greatest commandment?
Jesus, having been raised as a good Jewish boy, answered in the way he was taught – by reciting the Shema. Listen to this in Hebrew. Jesus may have said it in Hebrew, or in Greek, but most likely in Aramaic.
Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Elohaynu, Adonai Echad.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4 )
This is the beginning of the Shema.
Sh'ma Yisrael – Hear, O Israel –means to hear and listen, hear and obey.
Listen up! This is important!!!
This is important to hear – and to obey –
to not hear and obey is to imperil your very life!
Adonai Elohaynu – the LORD is our God
Not Baal, not the goddess – the great I AM is our God
Adonai Echad – the LORD alone
There is only one God, and Him alone do we serve.
The Shema was, and is, a profession of faith – to be taught in the synagogue, to be taught and recited at home, to be written on the hearts of each son and daughter of Israel. Not only on their hearts, but on their houses, and written on tiny scrolls and bound to their hands and forehead. The Shema is so important that every person who professed faith in the God of Israel was to know this, to memorize it, and to live by it.
The Shema includes two commandments – what Jesus calls the most important. The first is to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This command – to love with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, is a command to love with all of your being, all of your existence, all that you are. Nothing less is acceptable.
When Martin Luther first began visiting neighboring parishes, he discovered that no one knew the commandments – no one knew the creeds of the church – many did not know the Lord’s prayer. He wrote, in his preface to his Small Catechism:
"1] The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form.
2] Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it]. 3] Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians, have been baptized and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet they [do not understand and] cannot [even] recite either the Lord’s Prayer, or the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all liberty like experts. "
This is the nicer part of what Luther wrote on the subject. Like the Shema, Luther wanted the basics of the Christian faith written in a simple way so that everyone could learn them, pastors could teach them in church, parents could teach them at home, so that all would know and live by the most basic of all Christian doctrines – the 10 commandments, the Creeds, and the Lord’s Prayer. For almost 500 years, Luther’s Small Catechism has been our way of writing God’s commands on our hearts, and on our doorframes, our way of binding the Word to our hands and our foreheads.
This first commandment – to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength – this is to know the commandments that God gave us, to remember all that God has done for us, to remember the covenant he made with Abraham.
The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. This might be the more difficult of the two commandments. It brings up questions of who is our neighbor? Is it that guy next door who plays loud music all night? Is it the woman in the next apartment who always takes my parking space? Is it that co-worker that you just can’t seem to get along with?
How much do I love myself? If I don’t even like myself very much, how can I love my neighbor? If I don’t like my neighbor, how can I love him or her?
What does it mean to love my neighbor? Do I have to like them? Do I have to speak to them? If I just put on my best suit and find my neighbor out on the street, struggling to change a flat tire, do I have to stop and help them? If my neighbor needs money to pay a bill, do I have to help him? If my neighbor is starving and I have food, do I have to share?
These, and many other questions come up. What is the answer?
One of my jobs in my former life was as a customer service manager. As with any profession, there certain maxims that go with the job. In customer service, there are two rules: Rule number one – the customer is always right. Rule number two – if in doubt, see rule number one.
When Jesus talks about the Great Commandment, he gives it to us in a similar fashion. Rule number one: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Rule number two: Love your neighbor as your self. If you don’t understand how to do this, see rule number one.
To love the LORD our God with all of our being is to love so much, that loving our neighbor is automatic. When we see someone in need, we reach out and help. When we see someone who is hungry, we feed him or her. When we see someone in need of clothing, we clothe him or her.
This is what Jesus meant when he told the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God. When this kind of love becomes automatic, when we help without asking why, when we give because we can, then – and only then – are we “not far from the kingdom of God.”
As we gather with family and friends today, and again on Thanksgiving Day, remember that God has commanded us to love him – with all of our being – and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
God does this because he first loved us – so much that he sent his only Son – Jesus – the messiah – to die on the cross for our sins, and to be raised up on the third day.
We can be thankful because God first loved us, came down and became flesh, and lived among us. We can be thankful because in the waters of baptism, we are washed clean, our sins forgiven. We can be thankful because we can come to this table, receive the body and blood of Christ Jesus, and be renewed. We can be thankful because of all that God has done for us – not be cause we deserve it; not because we asked for it; not because of anything we have done; but because God first loved us. Thanks be to God!
Mark 12:28-31 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. {29 Or the Lord our God is one Lord} 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' {30 Deut. 6:4,5} 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' {31 Lev. 19:18} There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus is asked one of those questions – one of those questions that, under some circumstances, might be considered a trap. In this case, a scribe is actually agreeing with Jesus. He knows that Jesus has answered correctly – according to scripture, if not according to current politics. Since Jesus seems to be on a roll, the scribe asks him a question of his own – what is the greatest commandment?
Jesus, having been raised as a good Jewish boy, answered in the way he was taught – by reciting the Shema. Listen to this in Hebrew. Jesus may have said it in Hebrew, or in Greek, but most likely in Aramaic.
Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Elohaynu, Adonai Echad.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4 )
This is the beginning of the Shema.
Sh'ma Yisrael – Hear, O Israel –means to hear and listen, hear and obey.
Listen up! This is important!!!
This is important to hear – and to obey –
to not hear and obey is to imperil your very life!
Adonai Elohaynu – the LORD is our God
Not Baal, not the goddess – the great I AM is our God
Adonai Echad – the LORD alone
There is only one God, and Him alone do we serve.
The Shema was, and is, a profession of faith – to be taught in the synagogue, to be taught and recited at home, to be written on the hearts of each son and daughter of Israel. Not only on their hearts, but on their houses, and written on tiny scrolls and bound to their hands and forehead. The Shema is so important that every person who professed faith in the God of Israel was to know this, to memorize it, and to live by it.
The Shema includes two commandments – what Jesus calls the most important. The first is to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This command – to love with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, is a command to love with all of your being, all of your existence, all that you are. Nothing less is acceptable.
When Martin Luther first began visiting neighboring parishes, he discovered that no one knew the commandments – no one knew the creeds of the church – many did not know the Lord’s prayer. He wrote, in his preface to his Small Catechism:
"1] The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form.
2] Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it]. 3] Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians, have been baptized and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet they [do not understand and] cannot [even] recite either the Lord’s Prayer, or the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all liberty like experts. "
This is the nicer part of what Luther wrote on the subject. Like the Shema, Luther wanted the basics of the Christian faith written in a simple way so that everyone could learn them, pastors could teach them in church, parents could teach them at home, so that all would know and live by the most basic of all Christian doctrines – the 10 commandments, the Creeds, and the Lord’s Prayer. For almost 500 years, Luther’s Small Catechism has been our way of writing God’s commands on our hearts, and on our doorframes, our way of binding the Word to our hands and our foreheads.
This first commandment – to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength – this is to know the commandments that God gave us, to remember all that God has done for us, to remember the covenant he made with Abraham.
The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. This might be the more difficult of the two commandments. It brings up questions of who is our neighbor? Is it that guy next door who plays loud music all night? Is it the woman in the next apartment who always takes my parking space? Is it that co-worker that you just can’t seem to get along with?
How much do I love myself? If I don’t even like myself very much, how can I love my neighbor? If I don’t like my neighbor, how can I love him or her?
What does it mean to love my neighbor? Do I have to like them? Do I have to speak to them? If I just put on my best suit and find my neighbor out on the street, struggling to change a flat tire, do I have to stop and help them? If my neighbor needs money to pay a bill, do I have to help him? If my neighbor is starving and I have food, do I have to share?
These, and many other questions come up. What is the answer?
One of my jobs in my former life was as a customer service manager. As with any profession, there certain maxims that go with the job. In customer service, there are two rules: Rule number one – the customer is always right. Rule number two – if in doubt, see rule number one.
When Jesus talks about the Great Commandment, he gives it to us in a similar fashion. Rule number one: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Rule number two: Love your neighbor as your self. If you don’t understand how to do this, see rule number one.
To love the LORD our God with all of our being is to love so much, that loving our neighbor is automatic. When we see someone in need, we reach out and help. When we see someone who is hungry, we feed him or her. When we see someone in need of clothing, we clothe him or her.
This is what Jesus meant when he told the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God. When this kind of love becomes automatic, when we help without asking why, when we give because we can, then – and only then – are we “not far from the kingdom of God.”
As we gather with family and friends today, and again on Thanksgiving Day, remember that God has commanded us to love him – with all of our being – and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
God does this because he first loved us – so much that he sent his only Son – Jesus – the messiah – to die on the cross for our sins, and to be raised up on the third day.
We can be thankful because God first loved us, came down and became flesh, and lived among us. We can be thankful because in the waters of baptism, we are washed clean, our sins forgiven. We can be thankful because we can come to this table, receive the body and blood of Christ Jesus, and be renewed. We can be thankful because of all that God has done for us – not be cause we deserve it; not because we asked for it; not because of anything we have done; but because God first loved us. Thanks be to God!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Lost in space...
I tried to post to the blog the other day, but lost it between one mouse click and the next. It seems, that for as technical as I am, to be my curse to discover new ways of losing electronic documents in new and exciting ways.
The worst part of it is that I really don’t remember all of what I wrote. It was late, I was on my son’s computer, and when the words were deleted from the screen, they were apparently deleted from my brain as well. Based on conversation with another blogging friend, I will write post in a new way – they will be written in a Word document (with frequent saves) and then copied and pasted into the blog entry screen. This may take some of the challenge out of it, but it will hopefully remove some of the frustrations as well.
As to why I was trying to post the other night – mostly because it has been awhile. A couple of phone calls, a run-in with someone who reads the blog and commented that we had not posted anything new recently, and the realization that it is almost Thanksgiving and we have not done an update for a while. Yes – we have been busy. Our internship project has meshed well into a project we are doing with LDR – Congregational Preparedness, but it is also turning out to require a lot of time. While the terms of our project (as far as the seminary is concerned) are for us to finish it this year (before Aug 07), the reality is that we need to finish most of the work by the end of November (in just a couple of weeks).
The nature of our internship with LDR is that we are working in multiple departments, so that we gain experience in several areas of disaster response. For October and November, the focus has been on congregational preparedness – which is also our project. Hence, a lot of work has been done on the project. In addition, we are doing the first trial run of our presentation on congregational preparedness the week after Thanksgiving! That means that most of our research has to be done and our presentation has to be in a pretty complete first draft – Power Point slides, handouts, and all by Nov 28! The part of the project that goes to the seminary is a written paper discussion the project, how it went, results, etc. That part does not have to be done for a while, but since letters starting going out to congregations this week, asking them to let us come and do the presentation, we have to be ready to go soon.
I would like to think that once the presentation is ready, things will slow down a little, but the reality is that then we begin Advent, along with a new department at LDR, holiday preparations, etc., etc. We might even be doing some presentations in early December! I don’t think we will slow down again until next August – just in time to start classes again.
The worst part of it is that I really don’t remember all of what I wrote. It was late, I was on my son’s computer, and when the words were deleted from the screen, they were apparently deleted from my brain as well. Based on conversation with another blogging friend, I will write post in a new way – they will be written in a Word document (with frequent saves) and then copied and pasted into the blog entry screen. This may take some of the challenge out of it, but it will hopefully remove some of the frustrations as well.
As to why I was trying to post the other night – mostly because it has been awhile. A couple of phone calls, a run-in with someone who reads the blog and commented that we had not posted anything new recently, and the realization that it is almost Thanksgiving and we have not done an update for a while. Yes – we have been busy. Our internship project has meshed well into a project we are doing with LDR – Congregational Preparedness, but it is also turning out to require a lot of time. While the terms of our project (as far as the seminary is concerned) are for us to finish it this year (before Aug 07), the reality is that we need to finish most of the work by the end of November (in just a couple of weeks).
The nature of our internship with LDR is that we are working in multiple departments, so that we gain experience in several areas of disaster response. For October and November, the focus has been on congregational preparedness – which is also our project. Hence, a lot of work has been done on the project. In addition, we are doing the first trial run of our presentation on congregational preparedness the week after Thanksgiving! That means that most of our research has to be done and our presentation has to be in a pretty complete first draft – Power Point slides, handouts, and all by Nov 28! The part of the project that goes to the seminary is a written paper discussion the project, how it went, results, etc. That part does not have to be done for a while, but since letters starting going out to congregations this week, asking them to let us come and do the presentation, we have to be ready to go soon.
I would like to think that once the presentation is ready, things will slow down a little, but the reality is that then we begin Advent, along with a new department at LDR, holiday preparations, etc., etc. We might even be doing some presentations in early December! I don’t think we will slow down again until next August – just in time to start classes again.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Saturday Reflections
Officially, I am spending much of today preparing for tomorrow’s Adult Sunday School class. Right now, I’m taking a break from reviewing Christian history from Emperor Decius (about 249 CE) to Emperor Constantine and the Council of Nicea (325 CE).
It is a pretty typical Saturday. We both attended a meeting at church earlier this morning – today it was a First Communion training class for those who will come to the Lord’s Table for the first time next Sunday on All Saints’ Sunday - then spent a little bit of time with our supervising pastor reviewing the plans for worship tomorrow on Reformation Sunday and then the schedule for the next few days. After that we came home to work from here.
In case you are worried that our schedule is all work, let me clue you in – Ray is currently sitting on our deck reading a science fiction novel, with Smokey curled up by his feet, supervising the neighborhood. It is a beautiful fall day and we are enjoying having the windows open to let the fresh air and sunshine into the apartment.
It has been a busy week, with a large group of volunteers staying at the church. That means that after a day at the LDR office, we normally join the group for dinner and some fellowship; sometimes at the church, sometimes at a local restaurant. Of course, everyone needs to eat, but more importantly, it is a time of sharing.
We all come away at the end of the evening grateful for the work we are able to do, for the food and the fellowship, and for the opportunity to rest before the next day. We also gain a sense that the church is something larger than one congregation. Rather, it is something much larger - a community of believers that circle the globe and span across time. This Church, with a capital C, has the capacity to both touch individual lives and to transform the entire world. As the Body of Christ, we are indeed blessed – with God’s grace and love and with a sense of purpose. What we cannot begin to experience or accomplish alone, we can together, with God’s gracious help.
It has been a joy to experience the group this week. They are truly members of the body who have enjoyed being together, and it showed. They were enthusiastic and energetic, with some practical construction skills, from plumbing to painting. They have worked and played hard. I believe they will arrive home later today tired, but with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
It is a pretty typical Saturday. We both attended a meeting at church earlier this morning – today it was a First Communion training class for those who will come to the Lord’s Table for the first time next Sunday on All Saints’ Sunday - then spent a little bit of time with our supervising pastor reviewing the plans for worship tomorrow on Reformation Sunday and then the schedule for the next few days. After that we came home to work from here.
In case you are worried that our schedule is all work, let me clue you in – Ray is currently sitting on our deck reading a science fiction novel, with Smokey curled up by his feet, supervising the neighborhood. It is a beautiful fall day and we are enjoying having the windows open to let the fresh air and sunshine into the apartment.
It has been a busy week, with a large group of volunteers staying at the church. That means that after a day at the LDR office, we normally join the group for dinner and some fellowship; sometimes at the church, sometimes at a local restaurant. Of course, everyone needs to eat, but more importantly, it is a time of sharing.
We all come away at the end of the evening grateful for the work we are able to do, for the food and the fellowship, and for the opportunity to rest before the next day. We also gain a sense that the church is something larger than one congregation. Rather, it is something much larger - a community of believers that circle the globe and span across time. This Church, with a capital C, has the capacity to both touch individual lives and to transform the entire world. As the Body of Christ, we are indeed blessed – with God’s grace and love and with a sense of purpose. What we cannot begin to experience or accomplish alone, we can together, with God’s gracious help.
It has been a joy to experience the group this week. They are truly members of the body who have enjoyed being together, and it showed. They were enthusiastic and energetic, with some practical construction skills, from plumbing to painting. They have worked and played hard. I believe they will arrive home later today tired, but with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Does internship require 4 wheel drive?
Seems that it might. After recent storms that brought five tornado warnings and heavy rain, this was the road to the LDR office where we are currently working. This photo was taken about 4 hours after the heavy rain moved away; earlier this same morning, there was about a foot of water on parts of this "road."This is one of many instances that have convinced me that our Jeep is a good vehicle for our internship. There are many roads in this area that look like this, and it is good to be able to travel these roads with confidence, knowing that 4 wheel drive will get us back out!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Studying Again (or is it still?)
A member of the congregation asked us the other day if we were studying or 'just working' this year, since we are on internship. Our first answer was that we are 'just' working at the church and at LDR, since we aren't officially taking any classes on campus. But a more accurate answer would be that we are also studying - and it's actually quite a wide range of subjects!
For example, we have taken Red Cross Shelter Management training along with members of the congregation, to learn how to run an emergency shelter in the church. We are also participating in an enrichment class for the confirmation age youth; where we are all learning basic Latin from a member of the congregation.
We are teaching a 10-12 week Adult Sunday School class on Early Church History. While we have each taken two semesters of church history, these were not the classes that either of us enjoyed the most or did the best in during our first two years of seminary, so we are doing quite a bit of studying to review each week in order to do a good job of teaching!
And, last but not least, we are also doing considerable research on disaster preparedness and response, as we begin to prepare the presentation we will be giving to churches all over Alabama for LDR on Congregational Preparedness. Much of this research is done over the internet while we are in the office, but we have also located several recent books on the subject.
Plus, we have some books on congregational ministry that we both want to read. So, in any spare time we have, you can likely find one or both of us with a book in hand as we continue our studies...
For example, we have taken Red Cross Shelter Management training along with members of the congregation, to learn how to run an emergency shelter in the church. We are also participating in an enrichment class for the confirmation age youth; where we are all learning basic Latin from a member of the congregation.
We are teaching a 10-12 week Adult Sunday School class on Early Church History. While we have each taken two semesters of church history, these were not the classes that either of us enjoyed the most or did the best in during our first two years of seminary, so we are doing quite a bit of studying to review each week in order to do a good job of teaching!
And, last but not least, we are also doing considerable research on disaster preparedness and response, as we begin to prepare the presentation we will be giving to churches all over Alabama for LDR on Congregational Preparedness. Much of this research is done over the internet while we are in the office, but we have also located several recent books on the subject.
Plus, we have some books on congregational ministry that we both want to read. So, in any spare time we have, you can likely find one or both of us with a book in hand as we continue our studies...
Monday, October 09, 2006
Traditions
I’ve been thinking lately about traditions in the church. Not the core traditions of worship or liturgy, but matters of adiaphora – the things that can be changed from one place to another.
We attended the Fall Festival at our internship congregation today; seems that this is a tradition each year for kicking off their stewardship drive. The festival is a big lunch after church: hot dogs and bratwurst (cooked in beer and onions, of course, before they were grilled), plus an assortment of salads, side dishes, and desserts that members of the congregation brought to share. Now brats don’t say either ‘stewardship’ or ‘festival’ to me, but they do to members of this congregation – so what makes something a tradition?
Can it be just one or two occasions, or how many repetitions does it take? When is a tradition something that should be honored and continued, and when is it just an old habit that should be changed? And how can we tell the difference in the church?
I certainly don’t have the answers, but I do think it is important for a pastor-in-training to consider. After all, in a couple of years, I hope to be beginning my ministry in another congregation – which will probably already have its share of traditions. Some that I will want to embrace and unfortunately, some that I will very likely want to change. How does one go about learning the traditions of a congregation? And how do you begin to change them?
I suspect I will rely on my experience here during internship, and try to learn about and experience most (but probably not all) of the congregation’s traditions before I would attempt to make any major changes.
(I suddenly had the urge to go look for the lyrics to the song “Tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof! Interestingly, those lyrics only apply to the roles of the papa, mama, sons, and daughters of the Jewish family. Wonder what verses we could write for the Christian community?? The chorus, of course, would be: “The church, the church! Tradition!”)
All this has me thinking about the traditions of our home congregation – what has been the most meaningful to me at Incarnation, what I miss most after being away for over two years, and – especially now that our congregation has just this month merged to become part of two point parish with another quite different congregation – what I may never have the chance to experience in quite the same way again.
We attended the Fall Festival at our internship congregation today; seems that this is a tradition each year for kicking off their stewardship drive. The festival is a big lunch after church: hot dogs and bratwurst (cooked in beer and onions, of course, before they were grilled), plus an assortment of salads, side dishes, and desserts that members of the congregation brought to share. Now brats don’t say either ‘stewardship’ or ‘festival’ to me, but they do to members of this congregation – so what makes something a tradition?
Can it be just one or two occasions, or how many repetitions does it take? When is a tradition something that should be honored and continued, and when is it just an old habit that should be changed? And how can we tell the difference in the church?
I certainly don’t have the answers, but I do think it is important for a pastor-in-training to consider. After all, in a couple of years, I hope to be beginning my ministry in another congregation – which will probably already have its share of traditions. Some that I will want to embrace and unfortunately, some that I will very likely want to change. How does one go about learning the traditions of a congregation? And how do you begin to change them?
I suspect I will rely on my experience here during internship, and try to learn about and experience most (but probably not all) of the congregation’s traditions before I would attempt to make any major changes.
(I suddenly had the urge to go look for the lyrics to the song “Tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof! Interestingly, those lyrics only apply to the roles of the papa, mama, sons, and daughters of the Jewish family. Wonder what verses we could write for the Christian community?? The chorus, of course, would be: “The church, the church! Tradition!”)
All this has me thinking about the traditions of our home congregation – what has been the most meaningful to me at Incarnation, what I miss most after being away for over two years, and – especially now that our congregation has just this month merged to become part of two point parish with another quite different congregation – what I may never have the chance to experience in quite the same way again.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Monday musings
I know, it's been over a month since I posted anything new. My calendar keeps reminding me that I should add some news for those who have been following our journey. Truth is, I'm not sure what to tell...
We are settled into our apartment (as I look around, the boxes that remain to be unpacked are my share of our home office) and learning our way around Mobile (it's about twice as big as Columbia, but only about half as big as Charlotte, so it's not at all overwhelming to us, but we certainly haven't seen it all yet). The big traffic jams all seem to occur on Airport Blvd, so if you can avoid that one street, traffic rarely slows you down significantly - except maybe in school zones first thing in the morning! We have found our way to the major hospitals to visit members of the congregation, and have found the essential post office, grocery store, pharmacy, etc.
There are some beautiful and quaint neighborhoods that I look forward to exploring when it gets a bit cooler. We've made one trip down to the beach and plan to go again when it is cooler. Detect a theme? The heat and humidity have sapped my energy. Most days since we have been here have topped 90 degrees. Just this past week it has finally dipped below 60 at night and highs are only forecast in the 80s. We will really enjoy being outside more after it cools down a bit!
Talked to someone on the phone today, explaining that Monday is our day off. "So what are you doing?" came the question. We then explained that we had a really exciting day planned: after doing some housework, we were going out to visit the local public library, pick up something at Radio Shack, find a Chinese buffet for a late lunch, then grocery shop. Later in the afternoon, we took Smokey across the street to the park for a walk. Quiet, relaxing, very normal day.
Some days are like that, others are much more busy. Our internship so far has been both exhilarating and exasperating; sometimes in the same day! We are pulled in two directions - responsibilities and activities at the church AND needs and meetings at LDR. We are trying to be good stewards of our time and of resources, especially since it's about a thirty minute drive between the two places. But so far, balance between the two has been very difficult to attain.
It's been important to set a schedule, so that that others will know when and where we will be and what we will be doing, yet it is very difficult to firm up that schedule, since there are conflicting demands. I know, normal experiences for an intern, typical too of a pastor's schedule. Yet the division of responsibilities makes it even harder, keeps me feeling scattered and disorganized. Those who know me, know that I don't like feeling that way, so I've not been very - shall I say happy ?- about the situation.
I'm praying that as the days and weeks turn into months, and we continue to settle into our duties, that we will be better able to balance the conflicting demands, because I know that all the needs, responsibilities, activities, and meetings won't go away! And I don't want them to, because they have also brought great joy. Visiting church members, preaching, helping with case work at LDR, and leading worship have all been great experiences - and I look forward to more of those opportunities as the year goes on.
We are settled into our apartment (as I look around, the boxes that remain to be unpacked are my share of our home office) and learning our way around Mobile (it's about twice as big as Columbia, but only about half as big as Charlotte, so it's not at all overwhelming to us, but we certainly haven't seen it all yet). The big traffic jams all seem to occur on Airport Blvd, so if you can avoid that one street, traffic rarely slows you down significantly - except maybe in school zones first thing in the morning! We have found our way to the major hospitals to visit members of the congregation, and have found the essential post office, grocery store, pharmacy, etc.
There are some beautiful and quaint neighborhoods that I look forward to exploring when it gets a bit cooler. We've made one trip down to the beach and plan to go again when it is cooler. Detect a theme? The heat and humidity have sapped my energy. Most days since we have been here have topped 90 degrees. Just this past week it has finally dipped below 60 at night and highs are only forecast in the 80s. We will really enjoy being outside more after it cools down a bit!
Talked to someone on the phone today, explaining that Monday is our day off. "So what are you doing?" came the question. We then explained that we had a really exciting day planned: after doing some housework, we were going out to visit the local public library, pick up something at Radio Shack, find a Chinese buffet for a late lunch, then grocery shop. Later in the afternoon, we took Smokey across the street to the park for a walk. Quiet, relaxing, very normal day.
Some days are like that, others are much more busy. Our internship so far has been both exhilarating and exasperating; sometimes in the same day! We are pulled in two directions - responsibilities and activities at the church AND needs and meetings at LDR. We are trying to be good stewards of our time and of resources, especially since it's about a thirty minute drive between the two places. But so far, balance between the two has been very difficult to attain.
It's been important to set a schedule, so that that others will know when and where we will be and what we will be doing, yet it is very difficult to firm up that schedule, since there are conflicting demands. I know, normal experiences for an intern, typical too of a pastor's schedule. Yet the division of responsibilities makes it even harder, keeps me feeling scattered and disorganized. Those who know me, know that I don't like feeling that way, so I've not been very - shall I say happy ?- about the situation.
I'm praying that as the days and weeks turn into months, and we continue to settle into our duties, that we will be better able to balance the conflicting demands, because I know that all the needs, responsibilities, activities, and meetings won't go away! And I don't want them to, because they have also brought great joy. Visiting church members, preaching, helping with case work at LDR, and leading worship have all been great experiences - and I look forward to more of those opportunities as the year goes on.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Sticks and Stones
NET Mark 7:15 "There is nothing outside of a person that can defile him by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles him."
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
How many of us learned this when we were kids? Or taught it to our kids? Or Grandkids? It sounds good, and it may make us feel better at the time, but it really isn't true.
Too many people suffer from verbal abuse - kids, spouses, employees - at the hands of other kids, parents, spouses, in-laws, fellow employees, or bosses. The truth is, words can hurt. They hurt the one who hears them, and they hurt the one who says them.
The sad thing about words, is that we really can't take them back. We say we take them back; we really did not mean what we said. But once the words leave your mouth - they are out there - forever. You cannot take them back, make the other person un-hear them.
Jesus tells the Pharisees, and again later, his disciples, about this. The Pharisees have harassed Jesus and his followers about how they eat, how they do not follow the rituals for handwashing, and bowl washing, or anything of the rituals used to prepare one for eating. They defile the food they eat by eating with unclean hands.
Jesus tells them - it is not what you eat, or how you eat it, that makes you unclean - it is what comes out of you - what you say - what you do - that makes you unclean.
Words can hurt you - and the one to whom you say them. Those foul words that roll off the tongue so easily - they do defile you. They are unclean - and they came from within you. In fact, at this point, you might realize that those words you said may hurt you more than they hurt the person at whom you directed them.
How do we keep from doing this? Jesus gave us two commandments - love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Let what comes out of you be love, which will not defile you. Let love be what others see in you, and receive from you, and be clean in heart and mind. Let the blood that Christ shed on the cross be the only ritual cleansing that you need, and the love that you share with others.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
How many of us learned this when we were kids? Or taught it to our kids? Or Grandkids? It sounds good, and it may make us feel better at the time, but it really isn't true.
Too many people suffer from verbal abuse - kids, spouses, employees - at the hands of other kids, parents, spouses, in-laws, fellow employees, or bosses. The truth is, words can hurt. They hurt the one who hears them, and they hurt the one who says them.
The sad thing about words, is that we really can't take them back. We say we take them back; we really did not mean what we said. But once the words leave your mouth - they are out there - forever. You cannot take them back, make the other person un-hear them.
Jesus tells the Pharisees, and again later, his disciples, about this. The Pharisees have harassed Jesus and his followers about how they eat, how they do not follow the rituals for handwashing, and bowl washing, or anything of the rituals used to prepare one for eating. They defile the food they eat by eating with unclean hands.
Jesus tells them - it is not what you eat, or how you eat it, that makes you unclean - it is what comes out of you - what you say - what you do - that makes you unclean.
Words can hurt you - and the one to whom you say them. Those foul words that roll off the tongue so easily - they do defile you. They are unclean - and they came from within you. In fact, at this point, you might realize that those words you said may hurt you more than they hurt the person at whom you directed them.
How do we keep from doing this? Jesus gave us two commandments - love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Let what comes out of you be love, which will not defile you. Let love be what others see in you, and receive from you, and be clean in heart and mind. Let the blood that Christ shed on the cross be the only ritual cleansing that you need, and the love that you share with others.
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